Evans warned by NRL over shoulder charge

The NRL say they continue to send a clear message on the illegalities of the shoulder charge, after Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans was warned but not sanctioned over his hit on Canterbury’s Sam Kasiano.

The NRL fired off a warning letter to the Roosters on Monday in regards to Evans’s much-talked about tackle in the Roosters’ dramatic round 21 win over the Bulldogs.

But the Fijian international wasn’t mentioned when the match review committee released their charge sheet on Monday afternoon.

NRL match review committee co-ordinator Michael Buettner said the on-field penalty and the Concerning Act Notice sent to Evans was sufficient.

“It was evident this was clearly a shoulder charge action, you can see the arm tucked into the side of the body (but) Kane Evans made no forceful movement of or impact to the head and neck of Sam Kasiano and that according to the judiciary code is why no charge is applicable,” Buettner said.

“The NRL is going to (continue) to be diligent in regard to shoulder charges. If there is any contact with the head, or any severe movement of the head and neck ie a whiplash motion then charges will be applied.

“It is a clear message and one that we want to make sure that players understand that we are going to continue to be strong on this stance.”

The shoulder charge was banned by the NRL in November 2012. Brisbane duo James Gavet and Adam Blair and former Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow have been suspended over shoulder charges this season.

Canberra three-quarter Edrick Lee wasn’t as lucky as Evans.

Lee has already taken the early guilty plea on a grade two tripping charge on North Queensland’s Justin O’Neill and will miss the Raiders clash with Wests Tigers.

Bulldogs forward Greg Eastwood also faces one match on the sidelines for a tackle on Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce.

The grade one dangerous contact charge doesn’t warrant a one-match suspension with an early plea.

But Eastwood’s carryover points will push him over the 100-point, one-game threshold if he takes the early plea or fights the charge and loses.

That will sideline him for Canterbury’s clash with Brisbane on Friday.